Postdoctoral Position in 3D Digitization and Cultural Heritage Imaging (36 months)

The Digital Humanities Lab at the University of Basel invites applications for a fully funded postdoctoral position in 3D Digitization and Cultural Heritage Imaging, available for 36 months starting 1st April 2026 or by arrangement. The lab is a leading interdisciplinary institution, coordinating research, teaching, and infrastructure for digital and technological questions in the humanities and social sciences. It collaborates with departments across arts, media, philosophy, languages, history, ancient civilizations, social sciences, and psychology, offering a vibrant academic environment. This postdoctoral role is part of the SNSF-funded project "Digital Originals in 3D" (D2M), a collaboration between the University of Basel, Bern University of the Arts, and FHNW. The project aims to develop an automated, reproducible pipeline for capturing, processing, and disseminating 3D digital twins of cultural artifacts using advanced imaging and rendering technologies. The successful candidate will lead the development and operation of a robotic multi-modal capture system (including SfM-MVS, eRTI, and Photometric Stereo), design workflows for automated photogrammetric acquisition tailored to GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, Museums) contexts, and contribute to data registration, deconvolution, metadata acquisition, and high-fidelity model evaluation. Collaboration with heritage partners such as the Swiss National Museum and SIK-ISEA is expected, along with preparing evaluation reports and a white paper for applied use. Applicants must have a PhD in Digital Humanities, Imaging Science, Computer Vision, or a related field, with proven experience in photogrammetry, image-based 3D reconstruction, and cultural heritage digitization. Solid programming skills (Python, C++) and familiarity with photogrammetry software (COLMAP, Agisoft, RealityCapture) are required. Interest in robotics-based imaging systems and interdisciplinary collaboration with engineers and conservators is essential; a background or interest in conservation science is advantageous. The position offers access to state-of-the-art infrastructure (Arago Rig, eRTI systems, high-resolution imaging), a collaborative environment within a diverse consortium, and real-world application scenarios. Active mentoring and opportunities for academic career development and publication are provided. The University of Basel is committed to equal opportunities, diversity, and family friendliness, with employment conditions based on university regulations. For further information, visit the Digital Humanities Lab website or contact Prof. Fornaro ([email protected]) or the DHLab administration team ([email protected]). Applications must be submitted via the university's online portal by 20th March 2026. Late applications and applications by other means will not be considered.